Honing machine



Feb. 20, 1934.

Filed Nov. 18, 192

J. P. FERRIS HONING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shefl 1 INVENTOR L/bHNFF'EEHJE.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,948,468 HONING momma-John P. Ferris, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Ollgear Company,Milwaukee, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Application November 18, 1926Serial No. 149,052

9 Claim.

This invention relates primarily to honing machines although certain ofthe novel features thereof may be applied to advantage in other types ofreciprocating machines such as grinders and the like.

One object of the present invention is the provision in a hydraulicreciprocating drive mechanism of improved control means for eifecting acontinuous reciprocation of the driven part between certain prescribedlimits within a normal working rangeg and adjustable to effectwithdrawal of said part out of said range and to bring said part to restautomatically after withdrawing the same.

Another object is the provision of means for use with a controlmechanism of the character mentioned by which the operator may at anytime bring the reciprocating part to rest and by which the speed of thedriven part may be 20 reduced to a very slow rate. This latter functionis important, particularly in honing machines, in order to provide anexceedingly slow motion, commonly called inching, and commonly used whenlining up the machine for a fresh piece of work.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:--

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a honing machineembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale of the control mechanismshown in Figure 1, including sectional views of the valves.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a rocker element shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a honing tool illustrating means forexpanding and contracting the same.

The honing machine selected for illustration includes a head castingfixed to the upper ends of a pair of parallel supporting columns 11which rise from a base 12. A vertically reciproeating cross-head 13,mounted upon and guided by the columns 11, carries the honing tool 14,to be hereinafter described. The tool is shown fixed to the lower end ofa shaft 15 journaled at its upper end within the cross-head l3, anddriven from a shaft 16 through appropriate gearing housed within thecross-head. Shaft 16 is journalled within the cross-head, so as toreciprocate therewith and projects loosely through the head casting 10.A drive shaft 17, connected in driving relation with shaft 16 throughappropriate gearing 18, carries a loose drive pulley 19. A clutch of anyapproved design, such for instance as shown at 20, is employed forreleasably connecting the pulley in driving relation with the shaft. Theclutch shown includes a movable collar 21 splined to the shaft 1'7 andcooperating with a similar clutch element 22 fixed to the pulley. Anappropriate hand lever 23 pivoted at 24 and connected with the collar 21is provided for opening and closing the clutch.

The cross-head 13 is reciprocated hydraulically. In the machine shown apiston 25 and cylinder 26 is provided for this purpose, the cylinderbeing anchored in the casting 10 and the piston being connected to thecross-head through a rod 2'7. The piston is actuated in either directionby liquid supplied froman appropriate source preferably from a variabledisplacement pump 28. The pump shown is fully described in Patent No.1,798,198, issued March 31, 1931 to Walter Ferris and John P. Ferris. Itwill suflice here to state that the pump is driven at constant speedthrough appropriate means such as a pulley 29, and the displacement ofthe pump is regulated and controlled by a handle 30. Provision is alsomade in the pump for automatically-reducing pump displacement when thepressure in the pump delivery line exceeds a predetermined maximum, sothat when the delivery line is blocked pump displacement isautomatically reduced substantially to zero.

In the machine shown the pump is adjusted so as to deliver'liquid at apredetermined rate through pipe 31 and to receive liquid through pipe32. A reversing valve 33 of appropriate form controls communicationbetween these pipes and pipes 34 and 35, respectively connected to theupper and lower ends of the cylinder 26. The valve 33 is shown insection in Figure 2. It comprises a piston having two heads 36 and 3'7,connected by a reduced portion 38, and closely fitted for lengthwisereciprocation within the bore of a substantially cylindrical housing 39.The pump delivery pipe 31 communicates with the housing intermediate theheads 36 and 37, and the return pipe 32 communicates through branchpipes 32' with the opposite ends of the housing. An annular groove 40,controlled by head 36, communicates with pipe 34; and an annular groove41, controlled by head 3'7, communicates with pipe 35. The arrangementis such that when the piston is in the lower full line position ofFigure 2 pipe 31 communicates with pipe 35, leading to the lower end ofcylinder 26, so that the piston 25, and consequently the cross-head 13travel upwardly, the liquid from the upper end of the cylinder escapingthrough pipes 34 and 32 back to the return side of the pump. With thepiston in the upper dotted line position of this figure, pipe 31communicates with pipe 34 and pipe 35 communicates with pipe 32, so thatthe piston and cross-head travel downwardly. In an intermediate positionof the valve, piston head 36 covers groove 40 and head 37 covers groove41, so that pipes 34 and 35 are both blocked and the piston andcross-head are held stationary.

In the machine shown two separate means are shown for operating valve33, one responding directly to the motion of the cross-head 13 by whichthe valve is shifted into intermediate position, and the other includingvalve actuating means, controlled by motion of the cross-head by whichthe valve is completely reversed. For these purposes the piston isprovided with end plun'gers 42 and 43, closely fitted for reciprocationin cylinders 44 and 45, respectively, formed in the opposite ends of thehousing. The valve housing 39 is fixed to the head casting 10 and thelower plunger 43 is provided with a reduced extension 46 forming a pushrod aligned with a cooperating stop 4'7 fixed to the cross-head 13, sothat as the cross-head approaches the upper limit of its stroke, thestop 47 acts against the rod 46 to force the piston of the valve intointermediate position. The stop 47 is preferably in the form of a screw,threaded in an appropriate lug 48 in order to afford adjustment of thecoacting parts. The cylinders 44 and 45 are connected through pipes 49and 50, respectively, to an appropriate pilot valve 51, also mounted onthe head casting, through which fluid pressure is applied to one or theother of the cylinders, to thereby shift the reversing valve 33 fromeither extreme position to the other. A valve well suited for thepurpose is shown in section in Figure 2.

As therein shown this valve includes a piston having two heads 52 and 53closely fitted for reciprocation within a cylindrical housing 54. Agroove 55 within the housing, controlled by head 52, communicates withpipe 49; and a similar groove 56, controlled by head 53, communicateswith pipe 50. A pipe 57, leading from an appropriate fluid pressuresource, communicates with the housing intermediate the heads 52 and 53,and discharge pipes 58 leading from the opposite ends of the housingcommunicate with a drain pipe 58. In this instance the pipe 57 is shownconnected to the pump delivery pipe 31, and in order to insuresufiicient operating pressure in the pipe 31, a spring loaded valve 57'is interposed within this pipe between pipe 57 and the valve 33. Thedrain pipe 58 is ordinarily led back to the pump casing. The functioningof this valve is similar to that of valve 33. With the piston in thelower full line position of Figure 2, supply pipe 57 communicates withpipe 50, leading to end cylinder 44 of valve 33 thereby forcing thevalve piston into the lower full line position, liquid escaping from endcylinder 45 through pipe 49 to drain pipe 58. Then when the piston isshifted into the upper dotted line position, supply pipe 5'? isconnected with pipe 49, and pipe 50 is connected with drain pipe 58, sothat the piston of valve 33 is elevated into the dotted line positionshown.

The pilot valve 51 is placed under the control of the reciprocatingcross-head 13 so as to effect the automatic reversal of valve 33. Thismay be accomplished in various ways, but the mechanism shown is welladapted to effect a continuous reciprocation of the cross-head withincertain predetermined limits. a rod 59 supported by the piston of valve51 and paralleling the path of reciprocation of the crosshead. A pair ofstops 60 and 61 adjustably fixed to the cross-head cooperate with a stop62 fixed to the lower end of this rod. The rod 59 is provided at itsupper end with a substantially cylindrical head 63 guided within anappropriate bracket 64 fixed to the head casting 10. Any appropriateform of detent, such as a spring loaded ball 65 within the bracket andcooperating with annular grooves 66 and 6'7 in the head 63, serves toyieldably retain and position the rod 59 in either of two positions. Therod is connected to the lower end of the valve piston preferably througha yieldable connection 68, carried by the head 63, and a rod 69. Thenormal operation is such that, during the down stroke of the crosshead,stop 60 thereon strikes stop 62 on rod 59, thereby forcing the rod 59downwardly into the position shown in Figure 2, and lowering the pistonof valve 51 accordingly. This causes the valve 33 to assume the lowerfull line position of Figure 2, with the result that the lower end ofcylinder 26 is open to the supply pipe 31 and the cross-head 13 rises.The cross-head continues to rise until stop 61 thereon strikes stop 62on the rod 59, causing the rod to rise, and thereby reversing valves 51and 33 and causing the crosshead to lower. The cross-head thusreciprocates continuously through a range determined by the setting ofthe stops 60 and 61, and this range may be varied by adjusting either orboth of these stops.

During each upward stroke the lower stop 61 normally strikes the stop 62on the rod 59 before the stop 4'7 strikes the rod 46. Provision is madeby which the operator may so adjust the stop 62 as to clear the stop 61,to thereby permit the cross-head to rise until stop 47 strikes rod 46.In the machine shown this is accomplished by the use of a collar 70fixed to the rod 59-through which the rod 59 is rotated sufficiently tocause stop 62 to clear stop 61.- The collar 70 is actuated andcontrolled by an element 71 pivotally supported upon a stud 72 fixed inthe bracket 64, and provided with a depending fork '73 engaged with apin '74 projecting laterally from the collar. A control rod 75,connected to an arm '76 projecting from the rocker element 71, extendsdown- Wardly within convenient reach of the operator, where it isconnected to an appropriate hand lever '77. A spring '78, interposedbetween the casting 10 and the rocker element, normally retains theelement and associated parts in the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and3, with the stop 62 in the path of movement of the stop 61. Bydepressing the hand lever 77 the element '71 is rocked clockwise (Fig.3) causing the rod 59 to be rotated in such direction as to swing stop62 clear of stop 61. This permits the cross-head 13 to continue itsupward stroke until stop 47 strikes rod 46 and shifts the piston ofvalve 33 into intermediate position. As above pointed out, the valve 33,in this position, blocks 'both pipes 34 and 35 and the piston 25 andcross-head come to rest.

It will be noted that during the upward stroke of the cross-head thepiston of valve 51 is in the lower full line position of Figure 2, andthat this valve remains in this position as the piston of valve 33 isforced upwardly into intermediate po- This mechanism includes sition bythe advance of stop 47. The piston of valve 51 is thus in lower positionwhen the crosshead comes to rest. In order to again start the cross-headon a down stroke the piston of this valve is shifted by the operatorinto the upper dotted line position. Various means may be provided forplacing this valve under the control of the operator, but the mechanismherein shown is well adapted for the purpose. This mechanism includes acontrol rod '79, connected at its lower endto an appropriate hand lever80 and at its upper end to an appropriate shifting lever 81, rockablysupported upon a fixed pivot 82 and engaged through the usual trunnion,and groove connection 83 with the collar 70. The arrangement is suchthat when the hand lever 80 is depressed the shifting lever 81 is swungclockwise and the rod 59 and piston of valve 51 is elevated. This causesthe piston of valve 33 to be elevated, as hereinabove described, and thecross-head 13 starts downwardly.

A brief description of the operation of the machine, thus far described,will now be given. Let it be assumed that the drive pulleys 19 and 29are both in operation; that the clutch 20 is closed so that the tool 14is rotating; that the pump control handle 30 is properly set; and thatcrosshead 13 is at the upper limit of its stroke with the piston ofvalve 33 in intermediate position and the piston of valve 51 in thelower ful line position of Figure 2. The cross-head is of course atrest. To lower the cross-head into its lower normal operating range theoperator depresses the handle 80 to thereby lift the piston of valve 51.Fluid under pressure is thus admitted to end cylinder of valve 33,through pipes 49 and 57, and the piston of this valve is immediatelyelevated.

. Liquid is thus supplied to the upper end of cylinder 26 through pipes34 and 31 and the piston 25 and cross-head start downwardly. During thisinitial down stroke the operator holds handle 30 depressed in order topermit the stop 62 to clear stop 61. After stop 61 has passed stop 62the operator releases handle 80 and the cross-head continues downwardlyuntil stop 60 strikes stop 62 and lowers the piston of valve 51 into thefull line position of Figure 2. When this occurs the end cylinder 44 ofvalve 33 receives liquid under pressure through pipes and 57, valve 33is reversed and liquid, admitted through pipes 35 and 31 to the lowerend of the cylinder 26, causes the piston 25 and cross-head to travelupwardly. This upward travel continues until stop 61 strikes stop 62 toagain reverse valves 51 and 33 causing a reversal of movement of thecross-head. Thereafter the cross-head continues to reciprocate through adefinite range, as determined by the stops and 61, resulting in acorresponding reciprocation of the honing tool 14. When the honingoperation is completed the operator depresses the handle 77 so as toswing the stop 62 clear of the stop 61, thereby permitting the crossheadand tool to rise, this upward movement continuing until the valve 33 hasbeen adjusted into neutral position by the upward advance of stop 4'7against the rod 46. During the continuous reciprocation of thecross-head and tool within the range determined by the stops 60 and 61,the tool is engaged within the work, the extended movement beyond thisrange being pro vided to advance the tool into and retract the same fromthe work.

The machine illustrated is designed primarily for use in honing thecylinder walls of internal combustion engines and the tool 14 is of anexpansible type commonly employed for this purpose. In such operationsit has been found desirable to contract the tool prior to insertion andextraciion from the work and provision is therefore made in the machineshown for automatically performing this function. Mechanism well adaptedfor this purpose is shown in Figures 1 and 4. The tool shown comprises ahollow cylindrical head 84 removably fixed to the lower end of shaft 15for rotation therewith. A series of shoes 85, each having a facing 86 ofabrasive material, are symmetrically disposed about the head and extendparallel to the axis thereof. Each shoe is carried by a stem 87 closelyfitted in the wall of the head for lengthwise movement radially of thehead. Each shoe is guided by appropriate studs 88 similarly fitted inthe wall of the head and provided with appropriate means, such as nuts89, for limiting outward movement of the shoes. Appropriate springs 90yieldably urge the shoes outwardly. An appropriate form of cam mechanismserves to contract the shoes toward the head. The cam mechanism showncomprises a spider 91 having a plurality of wedge shaped elements 92projecting upwardly'therefrom, each wedge 92 being engaged within a slot93 formed in a stem 87. The spider 91 is fixed to a rod 94 closelyfitted for lengthwise adjustment within a bore 95 formed in the lowerend of shaft 15. A wedge 96 projecting through slots 97 and 98 formed inthe shaft 15 and rod 94 is operative to adjust the rod with the shaft.The wedge 96 is yieldably retained in the retracted position shown inFigure 4 by any appropriate means such as a spring 99, and, in thisposition, the rod 94, spider 91 and wedges 92 are lowered and the shoes85 are free to move outwardly under the action of springs 90. By forcingthe Wedge 96 inwardly against the pressure of spring 99, the rod 9 islifted and the wedges 92 acting on the stems 87 draw the shoes 35inwardly to thereby contract the tool. In the machine shown the wedge 96is automatically operated by a ring 100 surrounding the shaft 15 andadjustably fixed to one of the columns 11 of the machine. The ring 100is provided with an inernal cam surface 100 and is so positioned as toclear the wedge 96 during normal reciprocation of the tool within itsnormal working range, but so as to engage the wedge immediately prior toentry of the tool in the work and to exfraction of the tool from thework. Thus during the entry and extraction of the tool the wedge 96 isforced inwardly and so held by the ring, thereby contracting and holdingthe tool in contracted condition during these periods.

Provision is also made in the machine shown for stopping thereciprocation of the cross-head 13 and tool 14 at any instant, or foreffecting an exceeding slow movement of the par s, such as has beenfound desirable when setting up the machine for a fresh piece of work.Mechanism for this purpose is preferably so combined with the toolroating mechanism, as to effect non-rotation of the tool during thisslow motion or inching process. In the machine shown this mechanismincludes a valve 101 interposed within the main supply pipe 31 leadingfrom the pump. This valve comprises a piston having two heads 102 and103 connected by a reduced portion 104 and closely fitted forreciprocation in a cylindrical housing 105. The liquid in the pipe 31 isnormally free to pass around the reduced portion 104 to the valves 51and 33. By adjusting the piston lengthwise however the head 102 thereofmay be so positioned with respect to pipe 31 as to throttle this flow toany extent desired, even to the extent 01' completely blocking the flow.The piston is connected through a rod 106 with the clutch control lever23 so as to respond to movement thereof. The connection is such and thereduced portion 104 of the piston so proportioned, that the clutch maybe opened completely by the action of lever 23 without disturbing theflow through pipe 31. Thus the valve may be adjusted from the full-lineposition into the dotted line position of Figure 1 while the lever 23 isbeing swung sumciently to open the clutch. Thereafter further movementof the lever causes the head 102 of the valve to throttle the pipe 31 toany degree desired, during which adjustment the clutch 20 remains openand the tool 14 is not rotated.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the inventionhereinabove specifically described without departing from the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a honing machine the combination of a reciprocating member, ahoning tool movable therewith, means for rotating said tool, a variabledisplacement pump, means actuated by said pump for driving said memberat a rate corresponding to pump displacement, control mechanism for saiddriving means normally responsive to movement of said member forreversing the same to thereby efiect continuous reciprocation of saidmember and tool within a predetermined range, means for adjusting saidcontrol mechanism during reciprocation of said member to effectwithdrawal of said member and tool from said range at said predeterminedrate, and means automatically operable to stop the movement of saidmember at a predetermined point beyond said range.

2. In a honing machinev the combination of a reciprocating member, ahoning tool movable therewith, means for rotating said tool, a variabledisplacement pump, means actuated by said pump for driving said memberat a rate corresponding to pump displacement, control mechanism for saiddriving means, cooperating stops associated with said member and controlmechanism automatically operable to reverse said member to therebyeffect continuous reciprocation of said member and tool within apredetermined range, means for rendering one of said stops inactivewithout actuating said control mechanism to efiect withdrawal of saidmember and tool from said range at said rate, and means responsive tomovement of said member beyond said range for arresting movementthereof.

3. In a honing machine the combination of a reciprocating member, ahoning tool movable therewith, means for rotating said tool, a variabledisplacement pump, means actuated by said pump for driving said memberat a rate corresponding to pump displacement, valve mechanism forcontrolling said driving means, means normally responsive to movement ofsaid member for shifting said valve mechanism to effect continuousreciprocation of said member and tool within a predetermined range,means for adjusting said last named means to effect withdrawal of saidmember and tool from said range without operating said valve mechanism,and means responsive to movement of said member beyond said range forshifting said valve mechanism into neutral position to arrest themovement of said member and tool.

4. In a machine having a reciprocating member, the combination of avariable displacement pump, hydraulic means driven by said pump fordriving said member, means for regulating pump displacement to therebyregulate the movement oi. said member, a valve for controlling saiddriving means, means normally responsive to movement of said member forshifting said valve to efiect continuous reciprocation of said memberwithin a predetermined range, means for adjusting said last named meansto eflect withdrawal of said member from said range without operatingsaid valve, and means responsive to movement of said member beyond saidrange for shifting said valve into neutral position to thereby arrestmovement of said member.

5. In a machine having a reciprocating member, the combination ofhydraulic driving means therefor, a valve for controlling said drivingmeans, hydraulic means for operating said valve, a pilot valvecontrolled by movement of said member for controlling said valveoperating means, means under the control of the attendant for operatingsaid pilot valve to render said driving means active, and means actuatedby movement of said member for operating said first named valve torender said driving means inactive.

6. In a machine having a reciprocating member, the combination ofhydraulic driving means therefor, a valve for controlling said drivingmeans, hydraulic means for operating said valve, a pilot valve normallyresponsive to movement of said member for controlling said valveoperating means to reverse said valve and member, means actuated by saidmember for operating said first named valve to arrest movement of saidmember, and means controlled by the operator for operating said pilotvalve.

7. In a machine of the character described the combination of areciprocating member, hydraulically actuated means for driving saidmember at a predetermined rate, a reversing valve for controlling thedirection of movement of said member, a pilot valve for controlling saidreversing valve, automatic control means coacting with said pilot valveto effect continuous reciprocation of said member between predeterminedlimits, means under the control of the operator for operating said pilotvalve independently of said control means, and means under the controlof the operator for rendering said automatic control means ineffectiveto thereby efiect movement of said member beyond said limits at saidpredetermined rate.

8. In a machine of the character described the combination of areciprocating member, hydraulically actuated means for driving saidmember at a predetermined rate, a reversing valve for controlling thedirection of operation of movement of said member, a pilot valve forcontrolling said reversing valve, automatic control means coacting withsaid pilot valve to effect continuous reciprocation of said memberbetween predetermined limits, means under the control of the operatorfor operating said pilot valve, independently of said control means,means under the control of the operator for rendering said automaticcontrol means ineffective to thereby effect movement of said memberbeyond said limits at said predetermined rate, and means automaticallyoperable to stop the movement of said member at a predetermined pointbeyond said limits.

9. A honing machine, comprising a support for supporting the work in astationary position during the honing operation, a tool headreciprovalve in response to the movement of said toolhead to effectcontinuous reciprocation of said tool head within a predetermined range,means for adjusting said valve operating means to effect withdrawal ofsaid tool head beyond said range without changing the speed of saidmotor, and means responsive to the movement of said tool head beyondsaid range for operating said control valve independently of said pilotvalve to arrest the movement of said tool head.

JOHN P. FER-BIS.

